Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What is abnormality?

Answer 1

• When behaviour is atypical, out of the ordinary, consists of undesirable behaviour, resulting in impairment in the individuals functioning.

Question 2

Statistical Infrequency Definition

Answer 2

• Behaviour is abnormal if it is statistically rare or outside the range which is typical for most people.
• Researchers and government agencies tend to collect data and statistics on what is usual or normal to be able to calculate behaviours that are less frequent and label as abnormal.

Question 3

Example of statistical infrequency

Answer 3

• IQ and Intellect disability disorder.
• Individuals scoring below 70 are abnormal and may receive diagnosis.
• 2.5% on the other end of the spectrum classed as genius and abnormal.

Question 4

Evaluation of statistical infrequency - Cut off point

Answer 4

• It is useful sometimes to have consensus’s on where a cut off point between normal and abnormal is.
• Anorexics have to weigh less that 85% of recommended body weight before diagnosis occurs.
• Strength - Measurable criterion means that psychiatrists have agreed cut off to use, more objective.

Question 5

Evaluation of statistical infrequency - sometimes appropriate

Answer 5

• Sometimes appropriate to use this def criterion to define abnormality.
• Intellectual disability is defined in terms of the normal distribution and is a cut off point. Individuals with IQ more than 2 standard deviations before mean is judged as having mental disorder, however, such diagnosis is only made with failure to function adequately.
• Strength - certain circumstances there is an objective way of diagnosing a disorder.

Question 6

Evaluation of statistical infrequency - some unusual characteristics can be positive

Answer 6

• People with an IQ above 150 points are very rare and should not be classed as abnormal and should not be treated.
• The definition seems inadequate when desirable behaviours are rare.
• If you had an IQ of 70 or lower you are statistically rate and would need help due to learning difficulties.
• Weakness - does not distinguish between desirable and undesirable qualities and so can not be a conclusive definition of abnormality.

Question 7

Evaluation of statistical infrequency- Not desirable

Answer 7

• Some normal or statistically frequent behaviours are not desirable.
• Depression and anxiety are mental illnesses that occur in the population in large numbers and are the most commonly diagnosed. 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health issues each year.
• Weakness - in terms of this def criterion they are not abnormal because they are not rare but yet they are in need of treatment.

Question 8

Deviation from social norms definition

Answer 8

• Occurs when a behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society.
• If individual is deviant they can be classed as abnormal.

Question 9

Example of deviation of social norms

Answer 9

• Anti social personality disorder - impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.
• An absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour.

Question 10

Evaluation of deviation of social norms - distinguish

Answer 10

• Does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour.
• Undesirable to be aggressive, impulsive and irresponsible.
• Strength - takes into account the affect behaviour has on others.

Question 11

Evaluation of deviation from social norms - socially unacceptable behaviour is promoted

Answer 11

• Behaviour that is deviant is socially unacceptable for the rest of us.
• Individuals are who aggressive and impulsive.
• Strength - takes into account the greater good of society, according to this definition, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that damages others.

Question 12

Evaluation of deviation of social norms - not all behaviour is abnormal

Answer 12

• Not all behaviour that deviates from a social norm is also psychologically abnormal.
• Youth movements with intentionally ‘shocking’ dress codes such as goths, deviate from the general social norms but these youths do not need psychological help.
• Weakness - most socially deviant behaviour does not indicate psychological abnormality.

Question 13

Evaluation of deviation from social norms - not stable

Answer 13

• Social norms are not always stable over time. They change, what was once unacceptable may become socially acceptable.
• In the early 20th century unmarried mothers would be sent to mental asylums and have their babies taken away - seen as mentally ill.
• Homosexuality was illegal until the 1960s and classed as a mental disorder until 1973. These norms have changed a great deal over the years - era dependency.
• Weakness - definition becomes less reliable as more changes take place in society.

Question 14

Deviation from ideal mental health definition

Answer 14

• When someone does not meet a set of criteria of good mental health.
• Normal mental health can be defined like normal physical health.

Question 15

Example of deviation ideal mental health

Answer 15

• Marie Jahoda suggested 6 criteria that would constitute ideal mental health. Need all to be normal.
  1. Self attitudes
  2. Personal Growth and self actualisation
  3. Autonomy
  4. Integration
  5. Having an accurate perception of reality
  6. Mastery of the environment

Question 16

Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health - a comprehensive definiton

Answer 16

• Covers a broad range of criteria. Covers most reasons why a person might seek out mental health services.
• e.g how someone views themselves and how accurate their perception of reality is.
• Strength - useful tool for thinking about mental health.

Question 17

Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health - positive approach to aim for

Answer 17

• Positive approach for abnormality and focuses on what is desirable rather than what is undesirable.
• Strength - even tho Jahoda’s ideas were never really taken up by mental health professionals, the ideas have had some influence and are in line with the positive psychology movement.

Question 18

Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health - difficult to achieve

Answer 18

• Are ‘ideals’ and make it difficult for people to achieve.
• 6/6 is very ambitious and the majority of the population will struggle to gain 6 on a daily basis.
• Weakness - by these standards most people would be defined as abnormal. Situation where there is more abnormal people than normal.

Question 19

Evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health - Loses Clarity

Answer 19

• Even if the ideals are relaxed or is still difficult to say whether someone is normal or not.
• What if a person achieves 5/6 or 3/6? Are they almost normal or slightly abnormal.
• Weakness - loses clarity and makes a diagnosis very difficult to apply.

Question 20

Failure to function adequately definition

Answer 20

• Unable to cope with ordinary means of day to day living.
• Examining people’s thoughts and behaviour from own point of view.

Question 21

Example of failure to function adequately

Answer 21

• Rosenham and Seligman suggested that the concept of dysfunction could include the following. More present = more abnormality.
  1. Personal Distress
  2. Dysfunction or Maladaptive Behaviour - behaviour stops individual from attaining personal goals.
  3. Irrational Beliefs

Question 22

Evaluation of failure to function adequately- subjective experience

Answer 22

• Does recognise the subjective experience of the patient.
• This definition would ask “How are you feeling today?”
• Strength - allows us to view mental disorder from the point of view of experiencing it, opposed to a standard deviation curve or a group of societal norms.

Question 23

Evaluation of failure to function adequately- easy judgement

Answer 23

• A relatively easy judgement to make because the behaviours can be listed objectively.
• Personal distress, irrational behaviour and dysfunctional behaviour.
• Strength - judgement can be made easily as to when treatment is required.

Question 24

Evaluation of failure to function adequately- not capable

Answer 24

• If person is really I’ll and loses touch with reality, they will not be capable of recognising that their behaviour is abnormal and will not seek help.
• Someone may not recognise that the behaviour they are showing is irrational. The by may think they are making sense when they are communication with other but they are not.
• Weakness - definition may have to be applied by someone else who becomes aware that the individual is behaving abnormally.

Question 25

Evaluation of failure to function adequately- psychopaths

Answer 25

• Some seriously I’ll individuals such as psychopaths still appear to function normally while carrying out terrible actions.
• Jeffery Dahmer killed his victims without being detected for many years.
• Weakness - people like Jeffery Dahmer are clearly abnormal and psychologically disturbed but not in any way obvious according to this definition.